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Southeast Asia’s Facebook stars, YouTubers and TikTok live-streamers cash in as Covid-19 sends demand for indoor entertainment rocketing
- Locked-down audiences have been a boost for the increasing number of young people who make money by live-streaming themselves doing everything from playing video games to giving cooking lessons
- Amid rising unemployment, it is a tempting source of income that is open to all thanks to platforms like TikTok and Facebook. But the more people stream, the harder it is to make a steady stream of money
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At 10am in the morning, Nauman Pasha begins his workday. After putting on his headphones and settling down into his high-backed chair, he flips on the switch on his computer.
But instead of meeting his colleagues over Zoom, he starts bantering with hundreds of strangers on Facebook.
The Singapore-based 32-year-old used to work on automation programmes and projects for clients as a digital manager. Today, he spends his time playing games, cracking jokes and keeping his loyal following of 43,000 people from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia entertained.
And just like his old job, his new job also pays the bills.
“I’ve been streaming for one year now and it’s been great,” Pasha said. “My audience has been very supportive.”
Pasha’s new life only began after his old one ended at the height of Covid-19.
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